1815 - Ceylon

George III - Elephant Stivers

In 1760, after the death of George II (1760 October 25th), his
grandson George III, was crowned King of Great Britain and Ireland.
In 1796 the dutch settlements in Ceylan were annexed to the Presidency
of Madras. The appointment on 1798, April 19th, of a Governor raised
British Ceylon to the position of an Indian Presidency under the
Governor General of the East India Company at Calcutta. In 1802,
British Ceylon passed under the control of the Secretary of State for
the Colonies. On 1811, Feb 5th George III was declared insane and
George IV became regent for his father. On 1815, March 2nd, the
cession of the Kandyan Provinces placed the whole island Ceylon under
British sovereignty. George III died on 1820, January 29th.

On 1814, April 1st, an Order in Council, authorized 200,000
rix-dollars in copper coinage. Three denominations, the 2, 1 and 1/2
stiver amounting to 80, 60 and 25 thousand rix-dollars respectively
were struck for circulation. All coins struck bear the date 1815.
These Stivers were demonetized along with the fanam and Dutch duits by
proclamation of 1874, March 17th.

The same order in Council authorized 100,000 silver one rix-dollars
and the 200,000 rix-dollars of copper coinage was to consist of five
denominations 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 stuivers.
On the 1st December, 1814, the Royal Mint, London, received orders
from the Treasury to strike the coinage.
Dies were sunk for the copper 1/4 Stiver but not struck.
The dies were engraved by Thomas Wyon, jr.

The metal at 50 stivers to the pound for this issue was obtained from
the Tower halfpence demonetized in England.

The Dick Ford collection (in Taisei-Baldwin-Gillio Auction#19 1995
February 23 Singapore) sold the set of the 3 coins (2, 1 and 1.2 Stiver)
(lot#186) in Proof and (lot#185) in nearly Mint state for
hammer price of US( $800/-,$280/- +10% buyers premium).

Dies were prepared for the silver rix-dollar but only a few proof
specimens exist. The design was used in the 1821
coin.